New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-28
OYERCRO IVDED INSANE ASYLUMS
EVILS OF LAX IMMIGRATION LAWS.
BAD CONDITION OF INSTITUTIONS IN THIS STATE
REMEDIES SUGGESTED.

The increase in the number of insane in both the city
ums has leo TO overcrowdng to an extent
that good deal of anxiety asylum ofhcials
There are now nearly $4,000 insane in the vaiious
clnsses OF institutions in this State. In 1880 the
/ number was 9,537. showing increase in seven
years Of nearly 40 per The increase was con-
sderaby greater last than in any previous year
This has resulted in such overcrowding that the
county nsyluns in Kings and Erie have been presented
by the Grand Juries OF those coun1ss Tor oVercroWu-
ing. and the State Charities Aid Association has
recently made Official report calling for similsr
! Grand jury presentmet against the New-fork CITY
asylums. though the Commissioners of Charities ana
Corrections nre making provision far as they can
with the money at their disposal for additional ac-
commoia,ions. At time last year there were 3OO
patients sleeping the floors in the lunatic asylum
on Blackwolls Island, though cots have since been
put up in che corridors. There has been similar
overcr0wding at the asylum on Wards Island. There
are 1900 insane in the city asylums, increase Of
nearly 1900 since 1880 Some Of. the State asylums
also badly overcrowded Tho asylum for the Grim
na insane at Auburn is the worst in that respect a.
all Of its available room including that In its corridors,
| is occupied with beds and cots and the superhteh-
dent has had to refuse to accept any patients.
Nearly every year the Legislature has been called
to make additional provision for the insane, but II
has failed TO keep pace with the increase In the num-
Der OF patients. bill has been favoraDly acted on
this year tor additional asylum to be built in the
northern part OF the State, hut this will not be avail
able TOR some time and there already patients
enough to fill it. Another bill strongly recommended
by the State authorities and by commission which
Investigated the subject calls for building to
replace the present unfit and overcrowded asylum at
Auburn. But :he rapid increase the number of
patients makes still further accomnoda atoms
necessary. The OF the insane in the various asy-
ums OF the State costs about 81, 100000 year.
Many OF these In county institutions some in poor
houses and the State Charities Aid Association asks
the Legislature to provide for the removal OF these to
State institutions, "a they net rule properly
cared tor now. II this were done there would need to
! be much further enlargement of accommodations
! in the State Institutions
A to the of this great increase in the number
OF insane DR.. Carlos +. Macdonald, tho medical
periniendent OF this State Asylum for Criminal In
sane, IN answer to the inquiries OF TRIBUNE repre-
sentative, said:
do not think that the increase is due to the ways
OF living or habits of the people. There has been ID
great advance in the and treatment of the insane
that tie average longevity has been increased from
fifteen to twenty two years. The improved treatment
brings many 10 asylums who formerly keys
OF home. But the principal for the increase it
to be found in the shipment OF and otherwise
entee bled persons to shores from Europe These
Immediately fail upon the cities and counties of this
State support The crowded tenements which
have taken the place OF cottage homes Tor many
people have rendered the conditions OF family lite
such that many formerly cared for Mt home
must be sent to the asylums. The influx OF
degenerating mental diseases in many where
the parents do not themselves get into asylums.
There are Ia the asylum under my care number OF
patients who had been IN European asylums before
they 10 this country. Mrs Dudley. who shot
o Donovan Rosa had been confined in England, and
she ought be oack there Ann Fisher, who went
about breaking glass in windows in this city, Who is
the asylum under my care, was an inmate OF
foreign asylums before she to this country.
There Numerous cases OF the kind. The undue pro
a
various asyums is further evidence OF the shipment
here of foreign upatics."
"To what cNteDt IA the asylum under your care
| overcrowded - was asked.
sThc populatonoi The asylum no replied, us
thirty per cent IN excess oil Its hceomm 1datlohs.
Oyercrowdng evil the conscq of which are
20 be dreaded in any asylum and d0ubly IN this
institution where there is such large proportion OF
patentA who are sub ect To homicida and other
dangerous tendencies. The building Is unfit for an
asyum and il badly situated. IL isncar railroads and
nanntaeturtpg embellishments the noise of ~hich
exercises n disturbing influence. The patients are
shrewd CROUCH to erain the hour OF arrival and
departure OF trains to escape The institution should
be on n farm where there would be quiet while at
the same time the cultivation OF "a farm would afford
heathu and useful occupation. and materially lessen
the cost OF support. The Importance OF outdoor
occupation TOR tho insane, both IA u curative and
calming measure can scarcely be overestmated.
Experience has shown that kind OF occupation to be
most appropriate tor the insane have tried 1t with
beneficial results. The lack OF such factie- at
Auburn is n great obstacle to successful treatment.
Mechanical industries are not fitted for the insane.
Monotonous labor and steady confinement within
doors has a bad ELECT even persons not insane"
What becomes OF insane criminals when their
terms 81 pref the doctor asked
rney ere then returned to the of the local
authorities in the place which they came"
the reply. In some cases they have been liberated
BY the poor authorities into whose custody they were
delivered and have committed other crimes, been
again convicted and returned to the asylum from
wnicn they should ever have been discharged. But
there is no TO keep such criminals after the
expiration OF. their sentences The patients com
A. lie theVE on
sentence terminates, and they Otten become very
troublesome II detained. Ii the law required 1t there
would be no difficulty"
DO you restraint in such cases T.
No, no longer even think OF using mechanical
restraint abolished that some years ago and got rid
entirely of the system OF chains shacklcs hanhcuhs
camisoles, muhs wrlstets and crib beds formerly IN
use in the lum. majority OF the present corps
of attendants have little idea OF ths mechanism
of mechanical restraint and would not know how to
apply it, The ordinary condition of ali the wards Is
now of marked order and ouietude The trouble
that comes OBTAINING q Wet after his term of
sentence has expired, OF course, arises from his
knowledge OF his legal status.
Referring to the subject OF the increase of the insane
in the State aud the great burden i Is fastening
the people, President jtchworth oil tue state Board OF
Charities recently said
. The increase is due immigration. The remedies "a
recommended by Board are, first the examination
of all immg grants before departing from their homes
and furnishing them with certificates, Endorsed by
consns or commercial agents abroad. that they aIe
neither criminals. lunatics nor chronic paupers
acc ,ndly the revision and enforcement by Congress
oi the Federal immigration law 40 ~ moro ehecually
IN Guard against tho landing OF these classes at United
States ports with adequate penalties Tor Its violation
and thirdly the and prompt return to the coun
rie, from which they may have been sent of any and
ali such cassrs which through Inatention or other
vise NAV be landed at such poris, or reach this
country through its numerous land communications |
ar otner rontes of travel The adoption aud enforce
ment of these measures, il is believed would soon
reatIv diminish not only the number OF the insane in
ths and other States of this country, but also the
number of tho crmnsl and paurer classes with their
inherent SOCIAL evils, and consequent reduction IN
their ANIMAL public expenditures"
President Letchworh added that the Board of State
Charities under the act of 1873. With the limited |
means at it's disposal had up to October returned
hal, ta ntIor